With a by-now-signature blend of raw sludge and post-hardcore-style melodicism, West Texas’ Red Beard Wall signs to Desert Records for the forthcoming album 3, set to release on July 2. The follow-up to 2019’s The Fight Needs Us All (discussed here) pushes band mastermind/multi-instrumentalist Aaron Wall further along the particular course of purposeful and expressive songwriting — the first line of post-intro opener “Move Forth” is “Oh my god what the fuck have we done?” — and finds him bringing the melodic side of his vocal approach to new prominence in the band’s sound. Effective layering with throaty rasps make for an engaging and malleable dynamic, and even a later cut like “Leave Me Be,” which plays one off the other in verse/chorus fashion, does so fluidly with the crunch of ’90s noise in its riff and enough sludge tonality to be joyous in its harshness.

The ultimately positive nature of Wall‘s lyrics — even “Move Forth” is an encouraging statement, let alone “Keep Fighting” later on — is a distinguishing factor, and feels as much self-directed as outward. This record has been in the works for a while, but no doubt events of the last year played a role as well, and to find “My Brothers” at the center ahead of the first single “Liberate” (premiering below) speaks to the intensity of messaging throughout 3: “You’re a person/We care about what happens to you.” Where this melding of scathe and melody ultimately brings Red Beard Wall is “Home,” which wraps the nine-song/37-minute outing with a mosh-ready apex that feels like it’s just waiting to emanate at full volume from some stage, anywhere, at any time. Fingers crossed that might get to happen ever.

July, huh? That feels like a long time away, but it isn’t. 3 is the most complex and accomplished collection Red Beard Wall have yet done, and as you can see in the announcement below, label and artist alike are pretty thrilled to have come together to make it happen.

Dig:

RED BEARD WALL 3

Two years after the critically acclaimed sophomore effort “The Fight Needs Us All,” and touring incessantly to support it… the mighty Red Beard Wall are BACK!

“Welcome mutha-fuckin’ Red Beard Wall to the ever-growing Desert Records artist roster!” says label head Brad Frye. “This was a no-brainer right here. I’ve known Aaron for years through Red Mesa. He has the fire and passion that is nearly unparalleled in the heavy underground. His positive attitude and energy is contagious. I can’t wait for folks to hear this album… dig the first single, ‘Liberate!'”

The highly anticipated and aptly titled new album “3” has arrived in all its gnarly, yet beautiful amalgamation of heavy! “3” is the band’s most urgently emotional and honest collection of songs to date. Heavier than ever, gnarlier than ever, more passionate than ever, and on the flipside, more lush and beautiful than ever. Riff salad with a healthy side of groove soup.

“We are beyond honored to team up with the amazing and hella fast-rising Desert Records for RBW3!” echoes Red Beard Wall’s Aaron Wall. “Brad is our brother, so that makes it even more special. We’re focused on growing the band, the label, and our friendship. This is more than a collab… this is family. This is home. We can’t wait for you to hear and see what we do together! Gargantuan guaranteed!” Mad love, gratitude, and respect always!! ALL HAIL!!!”

Joining forces with the impeccable and cutting edge Desert Records for vinyl, digital, and cd release, scheduled for July 2, 2021. For fans of Floor, Torche, Helmet, and Snapcase. ALL HAIL Red Beard Wall!!!

Tracklisting:
1. Tap
2. Move Forth
3. Contrarian
4. Waste
5. My Brothers
6. Liberate
7. Leave Me Be
8. Keep Fighting
9. Home

https://www.facebook.com/redbeardwall/
https://www.instagram.com/redbeardwall/
https://redbeardwall.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/desertrecordslabel/
https://desertrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://desertrecords.bigcartel.com/

Empowerment through sludge? Maybe. It’s as good a bet as anything I can give you, for sure. And Red Beard Wall make a fairly compelling case with The Fight Needs Us All, from which the new video for “Tell Me the Future of Existence” comes. The question the song is asking, “Can we destroy the world to save it/Or do we worship it to raise it?” feels particularly relevant for a reality that has changed shape multiple times over since Argonauta Records released the album in Feb. 2019. Remember how simple things were when we were only locking kids in cages? Ah, those were the days… also of horror.

Anyhoo, I have no doubt that by now you’ve dug into The Fight Needs Us All one way or the other, and in so doing, taken at least a core sample of what it is that the band’s founder, songwriter, guitarist and vocalist Aaron Wall has on offer in terms of blending sludge with more aggressive groove-style chugging. His rasp reminds of Kenny Bones of Negative Reaction and his oft-intertwined clean vocals almost speak to a rawer Page Hamilton — at least to my child-of-’90s-aggro ears — but for what’s essentially a one-man outfit with George Trujillo playing drums live, there’s more than enough subtlety to the changes from one moment to the next to hold fickle listeners despite both the scathe and the relatively barebones production that, one suspects, does little to encompass the full tonal breadth Red Beard Wall bring on stage, despite lacking no impact in itself. That is to say, when the bounce of “To My Queen” hits into the nod, I’d imagine that standing in front of the speaker cabinets it might sound like oblivion, and intentionally so.

And if one has to go out, there are certainly worse ways. “Tell Me the Future of Existence” appears late in The Fight Needs Us All, between “Reign of Ignorance” and the closing title-track, and if the theme is having something to say, Wall certainly passes muster. As Wall explained in his recent days of rona and notes again below, a new Red Beard Wall album is in progress to follow-up The Fight Needs Us All, though perhaps since touring would seem to be something of an impossibility, perhaps it’s all the better that the still-current full-length gets the excuse for a revisit that the new video provides. Aside from the message of the song itself, which, again, is nothing if not an apt description of the times in which we live, even as those times seem to morph daily into unforeseen surrealities, and the visual accompaniment given in images of mass protest and rallying for righteous causes, the track rocks. That always helps too, as far as I’m concerned.

More to come on the new Red Beard Wall when I hear (of) it. Until then, enjoy “Tell Me the Future of Existence” below, followed by a few words from Wall himself:

Red Beard Wall, “Tell Me the Future of Existence” official video premiere

Aaron Wall on “Tell Me the Future of Existence”:

“As we record and put finishing touches on the new RBW album, we thought it very apropos and vital to release this video/song to the world. While it was written over two years ago, it speaks to NOW more than I could’ve imagined. We humbly ask ALL, to listen, stand up, and ACT. Revolt. Revolt. Revolt. Revolution is ours. The Fight Needs Us All. ALL LOVE. ALL RESPECT. ALL HAIL!!!”

Red Beard Wall, The Fight Needs Us All (2019)

Red Beard Wall on Thee Facebooks

Red Beard Wall on Instagram

Red Beard Wall on Bandcamp

Argonauta Records website

Argonauta Records on Thee Facebooks

The statistics of COVID-19 change with every news cycle, and with growing numbers, stay-at-home isolation and a near-universal disruption to society on a global scale, it is ever more important to consider the human aspect of this coronavirus. Amid the sad surrealism of living through social distancing, quarantines and bans on gatherings of groups of any size, creative professionals — artists, musicians, promoters, club owners, techs, producers, and more — are seeing an effect like nothing witnessed in the last century, and as humanity as a whole deals with this calamity, some perspective on who, what, where, when and how we’re all getting through is a needed reminder of why we’re doing so in the first place.

Thus, Days of Rona, in some attempt to help document the state of things as they are now, both so help can be asked for and given where needed, and so that when this is over it can be remembered.

Thanks to all who participate. To read all the Days of Rona coverage, click here. — JJ Koczan

Days of Rona: Aaron Wall of Red Beard Wall (Plainview, Texas)

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How are you dealing with this crisis as a band? Have you had to rework plans at all? How is everyone’s health so far?

It has been a definite shock to the system! We’ve had quite a few amazing shows cancelled, including SXSW. Our rehearsals have been put on indefinite hold, due to the fact that drummer Brent Standifer is located six hours away. We’ve just basically had to adapt to a completely new way of operating. Our mindset basically has gone from a regular band, to more of a focus on being a social media content creator, merch salesman, etc.

The silver lining, I suppose, is we now have the time needed to focus on getting the next album done, and hopefully released much sooner than anticipated. We’re doing our best to be chameleons and adjust and adapt. Constant forward progression, no matter circumstance. That’s the motto. Now and always.

Brent, mine, and our families’ health are good so far. We’re doing our part to slow the curve, so we can get back out there, and bring the people what they want and in turn ourselves as well!

What are the quarantine/isolation rules where you are?

I live in a rural, somewhat unpopulated area of West Texas so our rules are pretty lax as of yet, in this immediate area. I and my family are being proactive and sheltering in place. Gotta do my part even though the restrictions aren’t as tight here at this point. Brent lives in the San Antonio area so their restrictions are much stiffer. Such a weird time.

How have you seen the virus affecting the community around you and in music?

Its affected our peers in so many ways! Our promoter buds, our venues, staff, and musician friends are struggling. So many are service industry peeps. Feels like the rug got pulled out from underneath us. We’re all just trying to figure out how to make things work and get by until we can get back to doing what we do. It’s our whole life, it’s who we are at the core, so it’s been extremely difficult. We just have to help each other, in any and all ways possible. Especially now, but ALWAYS!

What is the one thing you want people to know about your situation, either as a band, or personally, or anything?

What Red Beard Wall wants everyone to know is… Brent and I are here for the community. We are all about love, gratitude, and positivity. We come with hope, good vibes, and anything tangible or helpful we possibly can. We are extremely accessible to ALL. Holla if you need us. We are always willing to lend an ear, or to give words, and actions of encouragement. Be safe! Stay healthy! ALL LOVE. ALL RESPECT. ALL GRATITUDE. ALL HAIL!!!

https://www.facebook.com/redbeardwall/
https://www.instagram.com/redbeardwall/
https://redbeardwall.bandcamp.com/
www.argonautarecords.com
https://www.facebook.com/ArgonautaRecords/